Page 17 of Christmas Agreement
“Okay, I’ll walk you to your door…”
“Andkiss me goodnight.”
“Of course.” Thank fuck. I wanted that almost more than anything, but the thing I wanted most could wait until she was ready.
She raised an eyebrow at me becauseof course, there was no of course about it. Lifting my hand, I ran my curled fingers along her cheekbone. “I’m sorry I took so long.”
“Yeah, well… I guess I kind of understand why. Don’t do it again.”
“Babe, I’m a guy. We’re shit at talking about feelings. I’ll probably mess up again.”
She snorted and let me take her hand. Feeling marginally better, but still hating that our night was ending early, I walked her to the door.
“What time should I be here tomorrow?”
“Whenever you want?”
I glanced at my watch. “Now?”
“It’s not tomorrow yet.”
“In eighteen minutes?”
She sighed, though she smiled softly. “How about seven?PM.”
“I’ll be here.” Leaning in, I cupped the back of her head and kissed her quick and deep. I wanted more and it was hard as fuck to back away, but she’d drawn the line in the sand and I’d respect that and stay on my side. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She hesitated, and I could see her indecision as she second-guessed the angry choice she’d made in the Jeep.
“Okay,” she finally said.
I waited while she unlocked the door and let herself inside. Standing there for long moments afterward, I stared at the door. Why the hell did I feel like I’d taken a puck to the balls without protection.
Shoving my hands into my pockets, I dropped my head forward and huffed a harsh sigh. Well, at least we still had a date Tuesday.
* * * *
“You look beautiful,” I murmured.
Katie chuckled. “You told me that…five times.”
“Well, I’m saying it again and it’s still true.” I glanced around the social we’d been at for a couple hours. It was pretty much every college party I’d ever been to. Guys drinking and being lugs. Girls clustered together and watched them while they whispered to each other. Some couples, like Katie and I, were stuck together like glue—some far more than others. We might need a firehose for them soon.
The only difference was, we were all dressed nice. So it was a high-class free-for-all. The food had been good, and we’d chatted with some of her sorority sisters, who’d gushed over the boyfriend they hadn’t known she had.
“We’ve been together for alongtime,” she’d told them. True enough, I guessed. In our hearts, there’d never been anyone else.
“Can we go?” she asked now.
I shrugged and set down the soft drink I’d been sipping. “It’s your party. Whatever you want.”
“I want to go before I punch one of the barbies who’re ogling you.”
My eyebrows raised. They were? Huh. I’d barely noticed anyone but Katie. Now, I wanted to leave, too. I didn’t want to fend off anyone, because the only woman who interested me was at my side.
“I know,” she said, and I realized I’d spoken out loud. “And congratulations. You’ve fulfilled part one of our agreement.”
“You know it’s not that,” I half-growled.
